14 Inspiring Books of Canadian Travel, Culture and Canadiana

Image from the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide

By Meghan Wilson-Smith

Touring the wide expanses of Canada can only be enriched with a little literature to guide you through. Pick up one of these twelve inspiring books to disappear into, travel with and share. Our list of Canadiana is here to inspire your next adventure while learning about the wonders that make Canada great!

By Kerry Colburn and Rob Sorensen<br /> <a title="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/pop-culture/humor/so-you-want-to-be-canadian.html" href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/pop-culture/humor/so-you-want-to-be-canadian.html" target="_self">Chronicle Books, 2004</a><br /> <br /> Not just for new immigrants, this little trivia book delves into the origins of “eh” and other fantastic Canadian tidbits. You may find a new appreciation for the "magical place" that is Canada and for Canadians, "the most fascinating people in the world".

By Rannie Gillis and Ken Aiken<br /> <a title="http://www.amazon.ca/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Atlantic-Canada/dp/1884313841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323294309&sr=8-1" href="http://www.amazon.ca/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Atlantic-Canada/dp/1884313841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323294309&sr=8-1" target="_self">Whitehorse Press, 2011</a><br /> <br /> For an <em>Easy Rider</em>-style vacation, where better than Atlantic Canada and its famous Cabot Trail? This guide links you to the beauty that awaits for all riders looking for a true motorcycle experience. Journey guides through the <a title="http://www.amazon.ca/Motorcycle-Journeys-through-Pacific-Northwest/dp/1884313868/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323294404&sr=1-1" href="http://www.amazon.ca/Motorcycle-Journeys-through-Pacific-Northwest/dp/1884313868/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323294404&sr=1-1" target="_self">Pacific Northwest</a> (2010) and the <a title="http://www.amazon.ca/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Rocky-Mountains/dp/1884313582/ref=pd_sim_b_9" href="http://www.amazon.ca/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Rocky-Mountains/dp/1884313582/ref=pd_sim_b_9" target="_self">Rockies</a> (2006) are also available.

By Doug Bennet and Tim Tiner<br /> <a title="http://www.mcclelland.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780771011412" href="http://www.mcclelland.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780771011412" target="_self">McClelland & Stewart, 2010</a><br /> <br /> Planning your summer camping trips while shoveling the drive? This book is the complete guide to plants, animals, black flies and beyond so that you are ready for a true northern woods experience.

By Brian Patton and Bart Robinson<br /> <a title="http://www.summerthought.com/canadian.rockies.trail.guide.htm" href="http://www.summerthought.com/canadian.rockies.trail.guide.htm" target="_self">Summerthought, 2011</a> (9th edition)<br /> <br /> For anyone hiking more than a couple of trails in the Rockies, this book is simply indispensable. It is the absolute bible to Canadian Rockies hiking trails—first published in 1971—with detailed maps of 227 trails, plus photos, detailed descriptions, tips and "landmarks" along the routes.

By Patricia Harris and David Lyon<br /> <a title="http://www.globepequot.com/food_lovers_guide_to_montreal-9780762771219" href="http://www.globepequot.com/food_lovers_guide_to_montreal-9780762771219" target="_self">Globe Pequot Press, 2011</a><br /> <br /> If you are going to eat somewhere, make it Montreal, and make this book your helpful guide to some of the best local specialties and festivals of our chicest city.

By Jerry Kobalenko<br /> <a title="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/arctic-eden" href="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/arctic-eden" target="_self">D&M Publishers/David Suzuki Foundation, 2010</a><br /> <br /> Interest in the Arctic has never been higher and we are the gatekeepers to its remote, stunning splendour. Visually captivating, enjoy Jerry Kobalenkos journey into the Arctic while also learning about its natural history.

By Douglas Coupland<br /> <a title="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/city-of-glass-revised-edition" href="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/city-of-glass-revised-edition" target="_self">D&M Publishers, 2009</a> (revised edition)<br /> <br /> Another book by Douglas Coupland, this very different, Japanese zine–themed take on the city of Vancouver (Coupland's hometown) touches on everything from dim sum to Expo '86 and is filled with more than 100 photos. It's an edgy edition to any library of Canadiana.

By Douglas Coupland<br /> <a title="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/souvenir-of-canada" href="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/souvenir-of-canada" target="_self">D&M Publishers, 2001</a><br /> <br /> In an attempt to explain what it means to "feel Canadian," Douglas Coupland—postmodern/pop-culture novelist and author of <em>Jpod</em> and <em>Generation A</em>—collects images and themes he says will be understandable only to Canadians, like inuksuit and the Group of Seven. Also check out the sequel, <a title="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/souvenir-of-canada-2" href="http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/souvenir-of-canada-2" target="_self"><em>Souvenir of Canada 2</em></a> (2004), and the <a title="http://souvenirofcanada.com/" href="http://souvenirofcanada.com/" target="_self">film</a> based on the books (2006).

By Tanya Lloyd Kyi<br /> <a title="http://www.whitecap.ca/books/canada-0" href="http://www.whitecap.ca/books/canada-0" target="_self">Whitecap Books, 2005</a><br /> <br /> For pure eye candy, hop from one side of Canada to the other via breathtaking photography. After virtually touring Canada’s forests, oceans, lakes and mountains you may be itching to book a flight.